(Ottawa, November 18,
2011) - The Canadian Library Association (CLA) is dismayed
by the reported seizure of The People's Library, which had been operated
by the New York Occupy Wall Street movement, and echos the support of
the American Library Association for the volunteers who are working to
re-establish the library.

According to the ALA report, “The library held a
collection of more than 5,000 items and provided free access to books,
magazines, newspapers and other materials… the library reflected
many of ALA’s core intellectual freedom values and best
practices—a balanced, cataloged collection, representing diverse
points of view, that included children’s books and reference
service often provided by professional librarians.” In spite
of assurances from city officals that the library materials would be
returned, most of the collection is still missing and returned equipment
was damaged.

CLA has a position statement on the destruction of
libraries:
“The Canadian Library Association strongly opposes the deliberate
destruction of libraries, their collections and property, and the loss
of access to education, culture and information resultant of such
destruction caused with hostile intention by individual or
groups.”

CLA President Karen Adams stated: “The Occupy Movement
libraries are meeting the information needs of specific communities, and
are documenting the history of those communities. Libraries are
critical to an open and democratic society. We support those who
are working to rebuild the People’s Library in New York, as well
as those who are operating the Occupy Movement libraries across
Canada.”

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The Canadian Library
Association/Association canadienne des bibliothèques (CLA/ACB) is
Canada’s largest national and broad-based library association,
representing the interests of public, academic, school and special
libraries, professional librarians and library workers, and all those
concerned about enhancing the quality of life of Canadians through
information and literacy.